Photographic camera



Oct. 15, 1935. A. s. HOWELL 2,017,249

PHOTOGRAFHIC CAMERA Filed May 29, 1933 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 15, 1935;A s HOWELL 2,017,249

PHOTOGRAPH)". 0 CAMERA Filed May 29; 1933 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 15,1935.

A. S. HOWELL PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Fil'ed May 29, 1935 ll Sheets-Sheet 3Oct. 15, 1935. A. s. HOWELL PHOTOGRAPHIG CAMERA Filed May 29, 1933 11Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 15, 5 HOWELL PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Filed May 29, 19:55

11 Sheets-Sheet 5 0a. 15, 1935. A. s. I-IIOWELL 2,017,249

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Filed May 29, 1933 11 SheetsSheet 6 l zy-7 m/////y7A. s. HOWELL 2,017,249 PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Filed May 29, 193:5 11Sheets-Sheetfl Oct. 15, 1935.

Oct. 15, 1935. A. s. HOWELL 2,017,249

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Filed May 29, 1933 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Iy/z Oct. 15,1935. s HOWELL 2,017,249

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Filed May 29, 1953 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 Oct. 15, A sHOWELL PHOTOGRAPHIG CAMERA l1 Sheets-Shet 11 Filed May 29, 1933 7infer/fan ze k Patented Oct. 15, 1935 PATENT" OFFICE PHOTOGBAPHIC CAMERAAlbert 8. Howell, Chicago, Bell 8: HowellCompany,

ration of Illinois lll., assignor to The Chicago, Ill., a corpo-Application May 29, 1933, Serial No. 673,416

22 Claims.

My invention relates particularly to motion picture cameras although notlimited to this use alone, and contemplates the selective use ofphotographic lenses of different focal lengths.

It is the general object of my invention to provide novel structure forthe accurate and convenient focusing oi. a selected. photographic lens,the invention contemplating a focusing mechanism which is adjustedautomatically with the positioning of a selected photographic lens inphotographing position to correspond with the focusing characteristicsof the selected lens, all with a view toward the adjustment of anyselected lens with a fixed range of movement of a focusing member anda'single indexing scale as-' sociated therewith, the invention alsocontemplating the focusing and adjustment of a view finder for parallaxwith the focusing of the selected photographic lens.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a novel andconvenient structure by which the photographic field of a selectedphotographic lens may be viewed through the photographic lens foraccurately viewing the objective field and focusing the lens.

With these objects in view my invention consists in certain features ofnovelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts bywhich the said objects and certain other objects, hereinafter appearing.are effected, all as fully described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the said drawings' Figure 1 is a top plan view of a motion picturecamera embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a partial rear elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a partial front elevation of the same;

Figure 4 is an interior view of the same taken on the line 4-4 of Figure3 and having parts broken away and shown in section;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-8of Figure 4;

Figure '1 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on the line'|--l of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8of Figure 4, and havin'g the intermittent film iced guide exposureapertured structure of the camera removed;

Figure 9 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-4of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the view finder of the camera; A

Figure 11 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on the lineil--ii of Figure 9;

Figures 12' and 13 are portions of the mechanism showing the same indiiicrent positions;

Figure 14 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on the linell-Hl of Figure 3;

Figures 15 and 16 are partial views taken sub- 10 stantially on the linel5-l5 of Figure 14 and having parts broken away and shownin section andshowing the parts in different positions of their movement; I

Figure 17 is a partial sectional view taken sub- 15 stantially on theline i'l-i| of Figure '7;

Figure 18 is a partial interior view taken substantially on the lineiii-48 of Figure 4; and

I Figure 19 is a partial sectional view substantially on the line iii-i9of Figure 18. 20

Like characters of reference indicate-like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the body of the camera comprises aninnercasing i and an outer casing 2 secured with the inner casing in asuitable manner, sound proofing material 3 being interposed between theinner and outer casings. See Figures 1, 5, 6, 9 and 14. The inner casingi carries the major part of the camera mechanism and the outer casing 2carries, on thetop thereof a usual film magazine 4 communicating withthe interior of the inner casing in a usual manner for the passage of afilm 5, see Figure 4. from the magazine into the inner casing forexposure and from the inner casing into the magazine after exposure; asis usual.

The frontwall of the inner casing l is provided with shouldered circularlens aperture 8, having a forwardly facing shoulder I, in whichphotographic lenses of diilerent focal lengths and having standardizedmountings may be interchangeably seated, the outer casing 2 beingsuitably apertured for the reception of the lenses. See Figures 9 and11.

The standardized lens mounting consists of a barrel 8, see Figures 9 and11, within which a photographic lens 9, see Figure 3, is flxed,and thebarrel 8 terminates rcarwardly in a cylindrical portion Ill engaging theaperture 6 and engaging rearwardly against the shoulder I to positionthe mounting and lens axially.

The. lens mounting is rcleasably secured in the aperture 6 abutting theshoulder 1 by means of two levers ii intermediatoly pivoted atvertically spaced points on the inner casing I, as designated 5diagrammatic views ol. 5

' and carried with the at l2, see Figures 9 and 11, and having clutchformations I3 at ends thereof disposed in diametrically oppositerelation with the aperture 6 and projecting through lateral openings ofthis aperture to engage ina circumferential groove l4 on the portion Illof the barrel 6 to lock the selected ment l6 whereby movement of thelower lever in' the disengaging direction causes both levers tosimultaneously move into position with the clutch formations i3withdrawn from the aperture 5 for the interchange of lenses, the springsl5 operating the levers into groove engaging position. The said other isextended diagonally upward from the abutting engagement i6, asdesignated at H, for actuation of the levers as hereinafter described.

Thus are different photographic lenses interchangeably seated inphotographing position on the inner casing i.

A frame member I8 is disposed within the inner casing I and is mountedfor movement, parallel with the focal axis of the camera, with respectto this casing by means of downward thrust ball bearings l9, opposingside thrust ball bearings 2i, and an upward thrust slide bearingengagement of the member III with the this casing, as designated at 22,see and 8.

The member I6 is provided at its forward end with a transverse verticalportion 23 with which is associated a similarly disposed intermittentfilm feed guide 24, see Figure 4, provided'with an exposure aperture 25alined with the focal axis of the camera, the portion 23 being alsoprovided with a light aperture 26 continuing the aperture 25 forwardlyfor the passage of light from the photographic lens to the film in theguideat the exposure aperture 25.

In operation the film 4 is fed to and from the magazine 4 and to andfrom the exposure guide 24 by constant feed sprockets 21 which, carriedwith the member iii, are driven in' timed relation with an intermittentfilm feed mechanism, not shown,

member l8 which intermittently feeds the film through the guide 24, asegmental light shutter 28, see Figures 4 and 6, carried with the memberla in a recess 29 inthe forward face-of the portion 23 and covered by aplate 30 secured on the portion 23 and apertured in alinement with theexposure aperture 25, as

Figures 4, 5

designated at 3|, being operated in timed rela- Disposed within thecasing i below the member 7 I3 is a horizontally disposed elongatedforwardly and rearwardly extending plate 32 and this plate is mounted onthe casing l for forward and rearward movement parallel with the focalaxis of the end portion of the lower lever l3 top wall of 1 through anopening 35 in the member I! and has a member 36 rotatably mounted in abore therethrough on a horizontal transverse axis, see Figures 6 and 8.A connecting bar 31 has one end engaged for rotation on a crank stud 36on the member 36 and has its other end pivotally connected with themember l8 by means of an ad- Justable eccentric stud 39.

Positioning of the crank stud 38 in its opposite positions in thehorizontal plane of the member 36 by angular movement of the member 36causes the positioning of the member ID in either of two predeterminedpositions in its movement relative to the plate 32, the forward orphotographing position of the member I 8 being that in which the crankstud 36 is in its forward position and the rearward position of themember i8 relative to the plate 32, assumed when the crank stud 38 is inits rearward position, being utilized for viewing through thephotographic lens as hereinafter described.

The member 36 is controlled from the exterior of the camera by a Cardanshaft structure, generally designated at 4|, operatively connecting themember 36 with a revoluble structure 42 engaged for rotation in abore'through the side of the inner casing I, see Figures 6 and 8, ashaft 43 rotatably mounted in a bore through the outer casing 2 inalinement with the structure 42 and operatively connected therewith, asdesignated at 44, and a crank handle 45 secured on the shaft 43 exteriorof the casing 2 and provided with a manually releasable spring latchdevice 46 engageable with either of two latch members 41 on the ex-'terior of the casing 2 to predeterminately position the member 36 withthe crank stud 38 either at its forward or its rearward position, theCardan shaft structure 4i permitting forward and rearward movement ofthe plate 32 and with it the member l8 connected thereto by theconnecting bar 31.

A cam member 48 is disposed in the casing I adjacent the front wallthereof and forward of the member 18, and is pivotally mounted by meansof bearings 49 on a vertical axis normal to the movement of the memberI! and plate 32 and disposed'to one sideof the focal axis of the groove,as shown, intersecting the pivotal axis of the cam member.

A rearwardly and forwardly extending lever 62 is disposed in the casingi between the bottom wall thereof and the plate 32, and is pivotallymounted at the intermediateportionthereof on the plate 32 on an axisnormal to the movement of the member I! and plate 32 and parallel to thepivotal axis of the cam member 43, as designated at 53. See Figures 5, 8and 9.

A slide block 54 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the lever 52and is slidably en gaged in the groove 5! of the cam member 43 formovement lineally thereof with pivotal movement of the lever 52. In aforward position of the cam member 43, its pivotal axis is coincidentwith are (iii

, ing I through the camera in the following manner.

the pivotal axis of the lever 52. when, however, the cam member-ispositioned rearwardly of the said forward position, pivotal movement ofthe lever 82 effects rearward and forward movement of the plate 32 andmember l8, carrying the focal plane structure of the camera, relative tothe casing I and the photographic lens fixed there- As the cam member 48is adjusted rearwardlythe movement between the photographic lens and thefocal plane structure for a given movement of the lever 52 is increased,and it is by adjusting of the position of the cam member 88 incorrespondence with the focusing characteristics of a selectedphotographic lens that the focusing movement, effected by the lever 52,is corresponded withthe selected lens, the cam member 88 beingpredeterminat/ely adjusted in correspondence with a selected lens in thefollowing manner.

Each barrel 8 carrying a photographic lens is provided with a rearwardlyextending metering- 'stud 55 whose length corresponds with and is individual to the range of focusing movement of the photographic lensmounted in the barrel. That is to say, a barrel, carrying a lens ofrelatively short focal length, is provided with a relatively short stud,whereas a barrel, carrying a lens of relatively long focal length, isprovided with arelatively long stu when a barrel 8 is seated in thepredetermined axial position in the shouldered aperture 8 of the casingI, see Figure 9, the stud 55 of the barrel projects rearwardly into theinterior of the casan opening 56 through the.lens seat structure. Thefree end of the cam member 48. disposed below the lens seat structure,is provided with an upwardly projecting stud 51 whose upper end isdisposed to forwardly abut the rear end of a stud 55 of a barrel 8seated on the casing I to predeterminatelyposition the cam member '88 incorrespondence with the focusing characteristics of the photographiclens carried by the barrel 8 seated on the casing I. the cam member 88being positioned with the stud 51 abutting the stud 55 in a mannerhereinafter described. so that the given movement of the lever 52, whichmay be termed the focusing lever, effects the proper focusing movementof the selected photographic lens due'to the length of the stud 55 whichis individual to the selected lens.

The lever 52 is actuated from the exterior of See Figures and 9.

Mounted for rotation on and within the casing I adjacent the rear end ofthe casing, is a revoluble member 58 disposed on a vertical axis whichis parallel to the pivotal axis of the focusing lever 52. The member 58is provided adiacent its lower end with a worm wheel 58 which mesheswith a worm 8| fixed on a transverse shaft structure 62 journaled on thecasings I and 2 and provided with a crank handle 83 on the exterior ofthe casing 2 whereby the member 58 may be angularly adjusted from theexterior of the camera.

A spur gear segment 64 is provided with an internal radial arm 65 whichis mounted on the rear portion of the focusing lever 52 for slidingmovementradially of the lever 52 by means of ball slide bearings 88. Thegear segment 88 is yieldably urged rearwardly to maintain it in meshwith a spur gear 61 formed on the member 58 by and engaging in anaperture means of a spring device 88 slidabiy engaging in an angulargroove 88 on thegear segment 88.

Accordingly, angular movement of the member 88 effects pivptal movementof the focusing lever 82 for focusing the selected photographic lens, 5

the sliding engagement between the gear segment 88 and the focusinglever 52 permitting forward and rearward movement of the lever 82 withthe plate 32 and member I8.

The member 58 is provided with a cylindrical dial II which is visiblethrough an opening 12 at the rear of the camera, see Figures 2 and 9,and this dial is provided with a focusing scale 18 cooperating'withpointers 18 associated with the opening 12 for predetermin'atelyadjusting the 15.

lens focus, the scale serving for all lenses by reason of the adjustmentof the cam. member 8 for the selected lens, as hereinbefore described.

In order to facilitate the interchange of lenses of different focallength on the camera, the fol- 20 lowing is provided.

Secured on the front face of the front wall of the casing I, is acircular casing member 18 forming an enclosure with the front wall ofthis casing. See Figures 11. 14, 15 and i6. Rotatably mounted in anaxial opening in the front wall of the casing member 15 is a shouldereddisc 18, and a short shaft 88 is secured on the front face of the frontwall of the casing I in concentric relation with the disc 18 and engagesin an axial here through the disc 18 for relative rotation therewith. a

An axially bored cam member 11 within the casing member 15 is rotatablymounted on the shaft 18, and is provided with a peripherally extendingcam groove 18. See Figures 6, 11 and 14.

A forwardly and rearwardly extending draw bolt 15 is mounted for slidingmovement in a bearing 8| on the front wall of the casing I and isprovided at its front end with a roller stud 82 40 engaged in the camgroove 18 for actuation of the draw bolt with angular movement of thecam member 11. See also Figure 7.

'A horizontally disposed lever 83 extends transversely of the casing Iimmediately to the rear of the front wall thereof and has one endthereof pivoted on a vertical axis, as designated at 88, on the casing Iat the side thereof adjacent the cam member 11. See Figures 6, '1 and1'1. The free end of the lever 83 is provided with a longitudiv nallyelongated aperture 85 which is engaged for pivotal and sliding movementon the stud 51 of the cam member 88, whereby the lever 83 is operativelyconnected with the cam member 88 for actuation thereof.

The rear portion of the draw bolt 18 is diamet rically slotted andembraces the lever 83 betweenthe ends thereof and is operativelyconnected with this lever by means of a vertical pin 88 mounted on theslotted portion of the draw bolt 0 81 through the lever.

Thus. the angular movement of the cam 11 effects pivotal movement of thecam member 88 for purposes hereinafter appearing. 65

An annular member 88 is mounted in a forwardly facing concentric groove89 in the forward face of the cam member 11 for angular movement withrespect thereto, see Figure 14. and is provided with a concentric groove9| in its forward face and with a second concentric groove 82 in itsrearward face.

A cylindrical ring 93 is also disposed in the concentric groove 89 forangular movement with respect to the cam member 11, and is disposed in76 surrounding spaced relation with the annular member 88. See Figures14, 15 and 16. A split spring ring 84 surrounds the annular member 88anda split friction ring 85 surrounds the ring 84 'and is maintained infrictional engagement with the bore of the ring 83 by the spring ring84. The annular member 88 is provided with an external radial lug 88which extends between the ends of the split rings 84 and 85 to angularlyfix these rings with the annular member 88, thus completing a frictionalslip drive connection between the annular member 88 and the ring 83.

A spring brake coil 91 is engaged in a shallow circumferential groove onthe ring 83, and has one end secured, as designated at 88, with the cammember 11 to form an over running driving connection between the cammember 11 and the ring 88. Accordingly, angular movement of the annularmember 88 in a counter clockwise direction in Figures 15 and 16 servesto actuate the cam member 11 in the corresponding direction through thefriction slip driving and the over running clutch connections, which arearranged in series, while angular movement'of the annular member 88 inthe opposite direction does not actuate the cam member due to therelease of the over running clutch.

The disc 16 is provided with a stud IIII which projects inwardly intothe groove 9| of the annular member 88, and the aimular member isprovided with a stud I82 projecting into both of the groovesjSI and 82and the forward end of, which abuts the stud I8I to actuate the annularmember 88 from the disc 18 in a clockwise direction in Figures Hand 16.The annular member 88 is provided with a second stud I88 projectingforwardly in the groove 8| and angularly spaced from the stud I82, and,the stud I8I being disposed between the studs I82 and I83, a compressionspring I84 is arranged in the groove 8| between the pins Ill and I88 andabuts the same to provide a yielding drive connection between the disc16 and the annular member 88 for actuating the annular memberwithmovement of the discin a counter clockwise direction in Figures 15and 16, which direction, it will'be noted, is the direction in which theannular member 88 actuates the cam member 11 through the friction slipconnection and the over running clutch above described, the spring I84,the fric-. tion slip connection and the over running clutch acting inseries.

The disc 18 is provided with another stud I85 angular spaced from thestud III which projects into the groove SI for engagement with the studI82 to limit separating movement of the studs I8I and I82.

As previously stated the stud I82 also projects rear'wardly into thegroove 82, and the cam member 11 is provided with a. stud I88 whichprojects forwardly into the groove 82 for abutting engagement with thestud I82 to actuate the cam member 11 with clockwise movement of theannular member 88 in Figures 15 and 16.

The cam member 11 is provided with a rearwardly projecting stud I81which is engageable with the extension I1 of the lower lens cl tch leverII to move the lens clutch levers I I into released position with finalmovement of the cam member 11 in the clockwise direction as shown inFigure 16.

A short shaft I 88 is rotatably mounted in an extended bore through thefront wall of the casing 2 in axial alinement with the shaft 88, seeFigures Sand-14,,andisprovidedatitsrear end with a disc I88 which isprovided with a crank stud III engaging in an aperture in the disc 16 toeffect angular movement of the disc with angular movement of this shaft.

A hand crank H2 is secured on the shaft I88 exterior of the casing 2 formanual actuation of the shaft, a releasing spring detent, generallydesignated at H3, serving to locate the crank handle at the extremes ofits movement. See Figure 14. 7

When the hand crank l I 2 is in its downwardly extending position, asshown in Figures 3 and 14, the related parts are in the position shownin Figures 11 and 15, in which the lens clutch levers I8 are in positionsecuring a photographic lens in the lens seat and with the cam member 48maintained forwardly with the stud 51 thereof forwardly engaged againstthe metering stud on the lens for setting the focusing movement tocorrespond with the focusing range of the lens.

In this lens locked position of the disc 16, a bell crank lever II 4,pivoted on the casing member 15 and urged by a spring H5, is engaged ina notch II6 on the disc 16 to lock the disc in .this position, and apush button II1 associated with the handle of the hand crank II2operates upon the lever II4 through a spring plunger II 8 on the casing2 to release the disc 16 for angular movement. See Figures 1, 2 and 14.

Disposed immediately inward of the front wall of the casing I, seeFigures 7, 14 and 17, is a vertically disposed rock shaft II9 which ismounted on the front wall of this casing by means of bearings I2I. Anarm I22 is secured on the shaft I I9 adjacent its upper end, and has itsfree end engaged between spaced collars I23 of a forwardlyand-rearwardly extending plunger I24 slidably mounted in a bearin'g I 25on the front wall of the casing I.

A torsion spring I26 on the shaft II9 serves to urge the plunger I24forwardly and engage the forward end of this plunger in a rearwardlyfacing notch I21 on the disc 18 to lock the disc in its lens lockedposition as above described;

An arm I28 is secured on the lower end of the shaft H8 and has its freeend disposed for en gagement by the forward end of the focusing lever52, see Figure 17, when the lever 52 is moved into its infinityposition, in which the pivotal axis of the slide block 54 coincides withthe pivotal axis of the cam member 48, to actuate the shaft III towithdrawthe plunger I24 from engagement with the notch I21 to pe mitmovement of th disc 16 out of its lens locked position.

When it is desired to interchange pho ographic lenses, the focusinglever 52 is moved to its infinity position to-release the disc 16 fromthe plunger I24. Then the push button 1 of the hand crank H2 is pushedinwardly to release the disc 16 from the lever i I 4, and the disc ismoved, by means of the hand crank H2, in a clockwise direction in Figure15 which shows the lens locked or photographing position of the parts.

This movement first causes the stud I M to move away from the stud I 83,the spring I84 expanding accordingly, until the stud[ 8i abuts the studI82, whereupon theannular member 88 is moved with the disc 16. Nomovement in this direction is transmitted from the member 88 to themem-- ber 11 through the over running ing the spring brake coil 81, sothat the member 88 is moved with the disc." until the stud I82 abuts thestud I86, whereupon the cam member 11 is moved with the member I: anddisc 10.

Upon continued movement in the same direction the cam groove 18 effectsrearward movement of the draw bolt 19 which effects rearward pivotalmovement of the lever 83 and with it the '5' cam member 48 into itsextreme rearward posi-. tlon separating the stud 81 of the cam member 48from the metering stud 88 of the mounted lens. Final clockwise movementof the cam member 11 causes engagement-of the stud I81 with the portionI1 of the lower lens clutch lever II and actuation. thereof to releasethe mounted lens, the parts being then in the position shown in Figure16. The disc 18 is pro-,

vided with a rearwardly facing notch I28, see Figure 16, which alineswith the plunger I24 in the lens unlocked position of the disc 18 forengag'ement by the plunger I24 to lock the disc in this position in casethe focusing lever 82 is moved out of infinity position in this positionof the disc, thus requiring the positioning of the focusing lever ininfinity position before a lens can be locked in the lens seat. a

The parts being in the lens unlocked position shown in Figure 16 and thefocusing lever 82 being in infinity position, the desired photographiclens is placed in the lens seat, the'cam member 48 being in its extremerearward position so that the stud 81 is not'engaged by the meteringstud 85 in the seating otthe lens. I v

The lens being held against the lens seat, the hand crank H2 is movedcounter clockwise in Figure 16. Movement in this direction istransmitted from the disc 18 to the member 88 from the stud IM to thestud I88 through the spring I84 and this movement of the member 88 istransmitted to the cam member 11 through the friction slip connectionand the overrunning clutch before described. Initial movement of the cammember 11 inflthis direction causes disengagement of the stud I81 fromthe portion I1 of the lower lens lock lever to lock the lens in theseat, and continued movement in this direction causes the cam groove 18of the cam member 11 to move the draw bolt forwardly and with it the cammember 48 until the stud81 of the cam member 48 engages the meteringstud 88 to position the cam member 48 correspondingly with the focusingrange of the lens.

When the cam member 48 is so positioned. further movement of the handcrank II2 causes compression of the spring I84 and slippage of thefriction slip device until the hand crank is in'its lens locked positionmaintained by the detent device II8. In the lens locked position of thehand crank the spring I84 is under compression controlled by thefriction slip device, so that the cam member 48 is maintained bypressure of the spring I84 in its adjusted position with the stud 81abutting the metering stud 88 of the lens. The

lens locked position of the parts is shown in Figure 18.

.After the lens locking cycle of the parts is completed the selectedphotographic lens is focused by adjusting the focusing lever 82,reference being had to the scale "for prcdeterminate focusing, thearrangement being'such that the scale 18 serves for predeterminatelyfocusing the desired range of photographic lenses.

As before described the forward position of the Y focal plane carryingmember I8 with reference to the plate 82 is the position in'which thephotographing is done. while the rearward position of the member I8 isutilizedfor direct viewing or focusing through the photographic lens bymeans now to be described. K

Mounted for pivotal movement on a forwardly and rearwardly extendingaxis, as designated at I8I, on the front face of the plate 88, is an armI82 on the free end of which is mounted a glass prism I88 of right angleisosceles triangle section having the face of one of the legs thereof,designated at I84, disposed normal to the focal axis of the camera andhaving the hypotenuse face thereof, designated at I88, disposed to therear of the face I84. See Figures 18 and 19. 10

The prism I88 is movable with the arm I82 into and out of positionalined with the focal axis of the camera and the exposure aperture 28 asshown in Figures 18 and 19. A second arm I88 is mounted for pivotalmovement, as designated 15 at I81, on the lower portion of the frontface of the plate 88 and is operatively connected with the arm I82 bymeans of a connecting bar I88. The arm I88 is provided with a shortdownwardly projecting lug I88 which lies in the path of a 20 forwardlyand rearwardly extending com I fixed on the upper face of the plate 82,see Figures 5 and 18. A spring I42, operative upon the arm I82, servesto move thearm I82 into position alining the prism I88 with the focalaxis of the cam- 25 era and to maintain the lug I88 in engagement withthe cam I4I, the arrangement being such that, in the rearward positionof the member I8 with reference to the plate 82, the prism I88 is alinedwith the focal axis of the camera as shown in Figures liiand 19', and inthe forward or photographingposition of the member I8 with reference tothe plate 82, the prism I88 is positioned to one side of the focal axis,as shown in broken lines in Figure 18. this positioning of the prism I88being accomplished automatically with the positioning of the member I8"with reference to the plate 82 through the co-operation of the cam HIand spring I42.

A second glass prism I48 of right angle isosceles 40 triangle section iscarried with the casing 2 in such a position that the light from thephotographic lens, which is reflected transversely by the prism I88 whenin alinernent with the focal axis of the camera. is reflected rearwardlyfrom the hypotenuse face of the prism I48 through a conventional viewingstructure, generally designated at I44 in Figures 1 and 2. thusproviding for direct viewing through the photographic lens,

the front face I84 of the prism I88 being a ground surface to form atranslucent image fixing surface for fixing the image projected by thephotographic lens for viewing;

The arrangement is such that in the forward position of the focal planestructure carrying 55 member I8 with reference to the plate 82, the filmplane at the exposure aperture 28 is positioned to form the focal plane'of the camera. and inthe rearward position of the member-I8 withreference to the plate 82 the prism I88 is alined with the focal axis ofthe camera and tho-image fixing surface I84 thereof is positioned inthis focal plane, so that focusing on the surface I84 effects focusingfor photographing.

Thus, if it is desired to focus the photographic ions by direct viewing.the member I8 is moved to its rearward position with reference to the.plate 82 by actuationof the crank handle 48, this operation positioningthe prism I88 in alinement with the focal axis. The operatorthen focusesthe photographic lens on the image fixing surface I84 of the prism I82by actuating the crank handle 88 while viewing through the viewingstructure I44 until the desired focus is attained. Then the crank handle48 is oppositely actuated ence to the plate 92, whereupon the camera isready for photographing.

A view finder, generally designated at I45, is pivotally mounted on avertical axis, as designated at I 45, by means of a bracket I4I securedon the side of the casing 2 adjacent thefocal axis of the camera. SeeFigures 1, 2, 3 and 10. The axisof the view finder is disposed in thehorizontal plane of the focal axis of the camera, so that pivotalmovement of the view finder provides adjustment thereoffor parallax.

A radial cam I49 is secured on the dial II, and a rock lever I49 ispivoted on a vertical axis, as designated'at I5I, on the casing I isarranged in engaging relation with the cam I49. See Figure 6. Ahorizontal transversely disposed plunger I52 is mounted for slidingmovement in a bearing structure I59 fixed with the casings I and 2, andis urged inwardly by a compression spring I54 to engage the rock leverI49 and maintain the rock lever in engagement with-the cam I49 foractuation of the plunger by the cam.

The outer end of the plunger I52 projects exterior of the casing 2 andis disposed in abutting relation with an adjustable formation I55, seeFigure 10, on the body of the view finder I45 rearwardly of the pivotalaxis thereof. The lower portion of the bracket I41 is provided with arearwardly projecting arm I 55 which is abutted by a horizontaltransversely disposed spring plunger device 151 yieldably urging theview finder in the direction to abut the formation I55 with the plungerI52.

Accordingly, the view finder is caused to follow, in its pivotalmovement, the plunger I52 as actuated by the cam I49 in cooperation withthe spring I54, so that the view finder is automatically adjusted forparallax with focusing adjustment of the camera.

' The lens system of the view finder I45 is more or less conventionaland is adapted to be focused by means of the front lens combinationthereof, not shown, being mounted in a barrel I59 which is mounted forsliding movement in the front of the body of the view finder.

The lower portion of the bracket I4! is provided with a forwardlyextending arm I59, and mounted for pivotal movement on the front of thisarm on a vertical axis is member I9I provided with an arm I92 which isconfined between adjusting screws I99 on the arm I59 for adjustablyfixing the member I5I with the arm I59. The member I9I is provided with'an upwardly projecting eccentrically disposed stud I94 which projectsupwardly through a segmental opening I95 through the view finder bodyand' slldably engages in a cam groove I99 in the barrel I59. g

The barrel I59 is angularly fixed with the view finder body in anobvious manner unnecessary to be described, so that pivotal movement ofthe view finder effects adjustment of the barrel I59 with reference tothe view finder body and focal adjustment of the view finder, thearrangement being such that focal adjustment of the view finder isautomatically effected in correspondence with focusing of thephotographic lens for diiferent objective distances, the adjustment ofthe cam member 49 in correspondence with the focusing characteristics ofthe selected photographic lens also accommodating focusing and parallaxadjustment of the view finder to correspond with the selectedphotographic lens.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13, Figure 12 2,017,249 to position themember I9 forwardly with refershows the parts in position with aphotographic lens of relatively short focal length mounted in the lensseat, in which the adjusting movement of'the focusing lever 52 effects arelatively short movement of the plate 92 and focal plane structurecarrying member I9, as indicated by the lines I 91 and I59. In Figure 12the relative position of the members I9 and 92 is that in which thephotographing isaccomplished.

Figure 13 shows the parts in position with a photographic lens ofrelatively long focal length mounted in the lens seat, in which theadjusting movement of the focusing lever 52 effects a relativeiy longmovement of the plate 92 and focal plane structure carrying member I9,as indicated by the lines I99 and III. In Figure 13 the relativeposition of the members I9 and 92 is that in which direct viewing isaccomplished.

Having thus described my invention. I do not wish to be limited to theprecise details described as changes may be readily made withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, but having thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent thefollowing:

1. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively movablemembers for effecting focusing adjustment of a selected photographiclens, a movable focusing member, means for effecting relative focusingmovement of said two members with movement of said focusing member andadapted for adjustment to vary said relative focusing movement tocorrespond the same with lenses of different focusing characteristics,and means individual to the selected lens for adjusting said adjustablemeans to correspond to the focusing characteristics of the selectedlens.

2. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively movablemembers for effecting focusing adjustment of a selected photographiclens, of a movable focusing member, means for effecting relativefocusing movement of said two members with movement of said focusingmem-. ber and adapted to vary the amount of said relative movement witha predetermined range of movement of said focusing member to correspondthe same with lenses of different focusing characteristics, and meansindividual to and associated with the selected lens for adjusting saidadjustable means to correspond to the focusing charabteristics of theselected lens.

, 3. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively movablemembers for effecting focusing adjustment of an interchangeably mountedphotographic lens fixed with one of said members with reference to saidrelative movement, of a movable focusing member, means for effectingrelative focusing movement of said members with movement of saidfocusing member and adapted to vary said relative focusing movement tocorrespond the same with interchangeable lenses of different focusingcharacteristics, and means individual to and carried by the mountedphotographic lens for adjusting said adjustable means to correspond tothe focusing characteristics of this lens.

4. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively-movablemembers for effecting the focusing of a selected photographic lens, amovable focusing member, a focusing movement control member pivoted onan axis normal to the plane of movement of said focusing member, anoperative connection between said focusing and control members wherebysaid focusing member is movable lineally of said control member foreffecting relative focusing movement of said first menual slide on saidcontrol member and nately positioning said control member in its pivotalmovement to correspond saidrelative focusing movement tothe focusingcharacteristics of different photographic lenses.

5. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively movablemembers for effectingthe focusing of a selected photographic lens, amovable focusing member, a pivoted focusing movement control memberdisposed on an axis normal to the plane of movement of said focusinmember, an operative connection betweensaid focusing and control memberscomprising an aredisposed transverse to the pivotal movement the controlmember and having its axis disposed coincident with the pivotal m m saidadjusting member in one position of said control member and along whichsaid adjusting member is movable for effecting relative focusingmovement of said first mentioned two members, and means forpredeterminately positioning said control member in its pivotal movementto correspond said relative focusing movement to the focusingcharacteristics of different lenses.

6. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively movablemembers for effecting the focusing of a selected photographic lens, afocusing member pivotally mounted on one of said two members on an axistransverse to said rela tive movement, a focusing control memberpivotally mounted on the other of said two members on an axis parallelto the axis of said focusing member, an operative connection betweensaid focusing and control members comprising a slide on said controlmember: disposed transverse to -the pivotal movement of the controlmember and focusing member is movable along which said for effectingrelative focusing movement of said first mentioned two members, andmeans for predeterminately positioning said control member in itspivotal movement to correspond said relative focusing movement istics ofdifferent photographic lenses.

"I. In a photographic camera the combination of a casing provided withmeans whereby a photographic lens is interchangeably carried thereby ina predetermined position relative thereto, a support member within saidcasing and carrying the focal plane structure of the camera and mountedfor movement with reference to the casing along the focal axis of thecamera'for focusing the lens, of a movable focusing member. means oreffecting focusing movement of. said support member with movement ofsaid focusing member and adapted for adjustment to vary the focusingmovement of said support member to correspond the same with lenses ofdifferent focusing, characteristics, and means ind vidual to and carriedby the selected lens for adjusting said adjustable means tocorrespond tothe focusing characteristics of this lens.

8. In a phtotographic camera the combination of a photographic .lcnscarrying member and a focal plane structure member, said members beingrelatively movable along the focal axis of the cam- Y era, means foreffecting positioning'of said mempredetermined positions in a device forviewing through the photographic lens comprising a translucent imagefixing sin-lace and a cooperating angularly disposed reflecting surfaceat the rear thereof, and means whereby said surfaces are movableinto andout of position alined with said focal axis and with said image fixingsur-' a device for viewing to the focusing character of a photographiclens carrying casing and a focal 51 plane structure member within thecasing and mounted for movement relative to the casing along the focalaxis of the camera, means for effecting positioningjof said member ineither of two predetermined positions in its said movement, through thephotographic lens comprising a translucent image fixing surface and acooperating angularly disposed reflecting surface at the rear thereof,and means whereby said surfaces are movable into and out of positionalined with said focal axis and with said image fixing surface in thefocal plane of the camera when said focal plane member is in therearward of said positions thereof.

10. In'a photographic camera the combination of a photographic lenscarrying member and a focal plane structure member,- said members beingrelatively movable along the focal axis of the camera, means foreifectingpositioning of said members in either of two predeterminedpositions in said relative movement, a device for viewing through thephotographic lens comprising a translucent image fixing surface and acooperating angularly disposed reflecting surface at the rear thereof,and means whereby said surfaces are movable into and out of positionalined with said focal axis and with said image fixing surface in thefocal plane of the camera when said membets are in their relativeposition of far separa-" tion, and means whereby said surfaces are movedinto and out of their said position with opposite relative movement ofsaid members into their said relative positions. 11. In a photographiccamera the combination of a photographic lens carrying member, a focal4t! plane structure member and a thirdmember, said members beingrelatively movable along the focal axis of the camera, meansfor'ei'fecting positioning of said focal plane member relative to saidthird member in positions in their relative movement, a device forviewing through the photographic lens comprising a translucent imagefixing surface and a cooperating angularly disposed reflecting surfaceat the rear thereof, and means whereby said surfaces are movable intoand out of position alined with said focal axis and with said image'flxing surface in the focal plane of the camera when said focal planemember is in its rearward position with reference to said third memberand whereby 5 said surfaces are carried in their said position with saidthird member in. its movement relative to said-lens carrying member.

12. In a photographic camera the combination of a photographic lenscarrying member. a focal plane structure member H said members beingrelatively movable along the and a third member,

carried by one of said focalplane and third meme hers for movement intoand out of position alinedwith said focal axis andw-ith' said imagefixing surface in the focal plane 'of. the camera when said focal planemember is inits rearward posieither of twap'redetermined lift tion withreference to said third member, and means whereby relative movement ofsaid focal plane and third members effects movement of said surfacesinto and out of their said position.

13. In a photographic camera the combination of a casing provided withmeans whereby a selected photographic lens is carried thereby in apredetermined photographing position relative thereof, a focal planestructure member and a third member with said casing and each of whichis mounted within the casing for movement independent of the other andrelative to the casing along the focal axis of the camera, means foreffecting positioning of said focal plane member relative to said thirdmember in either of two positions in their relative movement, a devicefor viewing through the selected photographic lens comprising atranslucent image fixing surface and a cooperating angularly disposedreflecting surface at the rear thereof, and means whereby said surfacesare movable into and out of position alined with said focal axis andwith said image fixing surface in the focal plane of the camera whensaid focal plane member is in its rearward position with reference tosaid third member and whereby said surfaces are carried in their saidposition with said third member in its movement relative to said casing.

14. In a photographic camera the combination of a selected photographiclens carrying member, a focal plane structure member, a third member,said members being relatively movable along the focal axis of thecamera, a movable adjusting member, means for effecting positioning ofsaid focal plane member relative to said third member in either of twopredetermined positions in their relative movement, a movable focusingmember, means for effecting focusing movement of said third member withmovement of said focusing member and adapted for adjustment to vary saidfocusing movement to correspond the same with lenses of differentfocusing characteristics, means for adjusting said last mentioned means,a device for viewing through the photographic lens comprising atranslucent image fixing surface and a cooperating angularly disposedreflecting surface at the rear thereof, and means whereby said surfacesare movable into and out of position alined with said focal axis andwith said image flxing'surface in the focal plane of the camera whensaid focal plane member is in its rearward position with reference tosaid third member and whereby said surfaces are carried in their saidposition with said third member in its movement relative to said lenscarrying member.

15. In a photographic camera the combination of a movable focusingmember, means for focusing a selected photographic lens with movement ofsaid focusing member and adapted for adjustment to vary the focusingmovement, abutmentv means individual to a selected lens forpredeterminately positioning-said adjustable means to correspond withthe selected lens, and means necessitating positioning of saidadjustable means at the extreme of its adjustment separating the samefrom said abutment means during the positioning of a lensinphotographing position.

16. In a photographic camera the combination of a photographic lensseat. releasable means for interchangeably securing a selectedphotographic lens on said seat, a movable focusing member,

means for focusing the seated lens with movement of said focusing memberand adapted for adjustment to vary the focusing movement, abutment meansindividual to and carried by each lens for predeterminately positioningsaid adjustable means to correspond with the selected lens, and meanscontrolled with said releasable means for operating said adjustablemeans in a direction 5 away from said abutment means as an incident andprior to release of saidreleaseable means and for moving said adjustmentmeans into engagement with said abutment means as an incident andsubsequent to engagement of said releasable means. i

17. In a photographic camera the combination of a photographic lensseat, releasable means for interchangeably securing a selectedphotographic lens on said seat, a movable focusing member, means forfocusing the seated lens with movement of said focusing member andadapted for adjustment to vary the focusing movement, abutment meansindividual to and carried by each lens for predeterminately positioningsaid adjustable means to correspond with the selected lens, meanscomprising a common operating member for operating said adjustable meansin a direction away from said abutment means as an incident and prior torelease of said releasable means and for a moving said adjustment meansinto engagement with said abutment means as an incident to andsubsequent to engagement of said releasable means, an actuating'member,means for actuating said operation member from said actuating member inthe direction to engage said releasable means'comprising a springconnection, an over running clutch and a friction slip connectionoperating in series, and an abutment operating connection for actuatingsaid operating member from said actuating member in the oppositedirection, and means for releasably locking said actuating member in itsextreme position in the first mentioned direction.

18. In a photographic camera the combination of a movable focusingmember, a focusing movement control member pivoted on an axis normal tothe plane of movement of said focusing member, an operative connectionbetween said focusing and control members whereby said focusing memberis movable lineally of the control member for effecting the focusing ofa selected photographic lens, abutment means individual to a selectedlens for predeterminately positioning said control member to correspondwith the selected lens, means necessitating positioning of said focusingmember, in its movement lineally of said control member, in the regionof the pivotal axis of said control member during the positioning of alens in photographic position, and means necessitating positioning ofsaid control member at the extreme of its pivotal movement separatingthe same from said abutment means during the positiming of the lens inphotographic position.

19. In a photographic'camera the combination of releasable means forsecuring a selected photographic lens in photographing position, amovable focusing member, .a focusing movement control member pivoted onan axis normal to the plane of movementof said focusing member, anoperative connection between said focusing and control members wherebysaid focusing member is movable lineally of the control member foreffecting the focusing of the selected photographic lens,

abutment means individual to a selected lens for predeterminatelypositioning said control member to correspond with the selected lens,means lockingsaidreleasable means against release and operable topermitsuch release upon positioning of said focusing member, in itsmovement lineally of said 76 control member, in the region 'of thepivotal axis of said control member, means controlled with saidreleasable means and necessitating positioning of said control member atthe extreme of its movement separating the same from said abutmentmeansduring the positioning of the lens in photographic position, andmeans controlled with said releasable means for moving said controlmember into position determined by said abutment means as an incidentand subsequent to engagement of said releasable means.

20. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively movablemembers for effecting the focusing of a photographic lens, means foradjusting said members in their relative movement including a focusingmember pivotally mounted on one of said members on an axis normal to therelative movement of said two members, an actuating member mounted forangular movement on the other of said two members, and an operativeconnection between said focusing and actuating members including meanspermitting relative bodily movement of said focusing and actuatingmembers with relative movement of said two members.

21. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively movablemembers for effecting the focusing of a photographic lens, of means foradjusting said members in their relative movement including a focusingmember pivotally mounted on one of said members on an axis normal to therelative movement of said two members, an actuating member mounted forangular movement on the other of said two members, a

gear element on said actuating member, a second 5 gearelement havingasliding engagement with said focusing member radially thereof andmeshing with said first mentioned gear element, and means operative uponsaid second gear element for maintaining said gear elements in mesh.

22-. In a photographic camera the combination of two relatively movablemembers for effecting the focusing of a photographic lens, means foradjusting said members in their relative movement including a focusingmember pivotally 15 mounted on one of said members on an axis normal tothe relative movement of said two members, an actuating member mountedfor angular movement on the other of said two members on an axisparallel with the axis of said focusinz 3 member, a spur gear element onsaid actuating member, a spur gear segment having a sliding engagementwith said focusing member radially thereof and meshing with said spurgear element for actuation of said focusing member by 25 said actuatingmember, and spring means operative upon said gear segment to maintain itin mesh with said gear element.

ALBERT 8. HOWELL. 0

